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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 14, 1979 (4)OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, MINNESOTA MAY 14, 1979 The meeting was called to order at 8:15 p.m. Roll Call: Logacz, Norberg, Hentges, Nawrocki - Present INVOCATION The invocation was given by Father Colon of Immaculate Conception Church. Mayor Nawrocki noted that Father Colon will be leaving Immaculate Conception soon for a position at another church and added that Father Colon has served the church and the community very well and will be missed. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS Motion by Hentges, seconded by Norberg, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of April 23 and the May 7 Board of Review meeting as presented in writing and reading be dispensed with. Roll Call: All Ayes ORAL PETITIONS Mr. John Bogucki, representing Rodney Billman, Inc., presented a concept plan for the old Oakwood school property. He is requesting the Council review the plan as it has been revised and give him some feedback. The City Manager stated this has been before the Planning and Zoning Commission and they recommended to approve the plan. Councilman Logacz asked whether the Traffic Commission has made any recommendations on what should be done about 3rd St., whether to keep it as it is or extend it. Councilman Hentges answered that the Traffic Commission has reviewed this matter twice and sees no problem with the plan as is if the streets are kept at 33½ ft. wide. Discussion followed on the existing ease- ments. The Council agreed that this concept plan could work. RECESS at 8:40 to continue the Board of Review meeting. RECONVENE at 8:45 RESOLUTIONS: 1. Resolution Authorizing Application for Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Housing Rehabilitation Grant Funds RESOLUTION 79-17 AUTHORIZING APPLICATION FOR MHFA HOUSING REHABILITATION GRANT FUNDS WHEREAS, the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, State of Minnesota, has been authorized to undertake a program to provide grants of funds to property owners for the purpose of housing rehabilitation; and, May 14, 1979 Page 2 WHEREAS, the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Columbia Heights, MN has developed an application as an Administering Entity for the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Home Improvement Grant Program; and, WHEREAS, the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Columbia Heights, MN has demonstrated the ability to perform the required activities of the Minnesota Housin9 Finance Agency Home Improvement Grant Program; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Co]umbia Heights, MN is hereby authorized to make application to the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency for a grant of funds pursuant to the Home Improvement Grant Program; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Columbia Heights, MN is hereby authorized as an entity to be charged with the administration of funds made available through the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Home Improvement Grant Program, in the City of Columbia Heights. Passed this 14th day of May, 1979. Offered by: Logacz Seconded by: Hentges Roll Call: All Ayes Roger Jensen, HRA Director, stated the HRA has entered into an agreement with the Columbia Heights Development Consortium and on April 30 the HRA received a letter from the consortium asLing to extend the agreement for an additional 60 days. The HRA passed a resolution to extend for a period of 45 days from May 8. This resolution would endorse the HRA action. Motion by Hentges, seconded by Logacz, that reading be dispensed with as sufficient copies were available to the public. Roll Call: All Ayes RESOLUTION 79-18 ENDORSING AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, HN. AND THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS DEVELOPMENT CONSORTIUM FOR AN EXTENSION OF THE RIGHT TO EXCLUSIVELY NEGOTIATE THE REDEVELOPMENT OF A SPECIFIC SECTION OF THE COLUMBIA HEIGHTS CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT WHEREAS, on August 3, 1977, the City Council approved the Downtown CBD Revitalization Plan as prepared by the Downtown Development Council and the Housing and Redevelopment Authority, and WHEREAS, on May 10, 1978, the City/HRA with an endorsement by the Downtown Development Council and City Council entered into an agreement wTth the Columbia Heights Development Consortium herein known as the developer, for the exclusive right to negotiate a development within a section of our down- town central business district, and May 14, 1979 Page 3 WHEREAS, on September 13, 1978, the developer presented their preliminary plan to a joint meeting of the HRA and Downtown Development Council where these preliminary plans were approved by both boards and found to be con- sistent with the Downtown CBD Revitalization Plan and, WHEREAS, on December 5, 1978, these preliminary plans were presented and approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission and found to be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan of the City of Columbia Heights, MN, and WHEREAS, the Downtown Development Council and HRA Board of Commissioners authorized the Executive Director of the Housing Authority to pursue a development agreement with the Consortium to be presented to the City Council for their consideration, and WHEREAS, on February 14, 1979, in a letter agreement between the HRA and the developer endorsed by this Council, the offer of exclusive negotiations was extended to May l, 1979, in order to provide the developer with time to complete their marketing of the proposed development, and WHEREAS, on April 30, 1979, the developer provided the Housing Authority with a letter stating their intention to proceed with negotiations required to reach a total development agreement with the City of Columbia Heights and a request for time extension to complete necessary project revisions and documents recognizing changes that developed due to an impending federal grant and an increase in project area. (A copy of this letter is attached.) NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of Columbia Heights, MN, that the 45 day extension of the Exclusive Negotiations Agreement between the HRA and Columbia Heights Development Consortium be endorsed by this Council. Passed this 14th day of May, 1979. Offered by: Logacz Seconded by: Hentges Roll Call: All Ayes PLANNING AND ZONING RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. John Yencko, 958 43rd Ave. N.E. Request for Lot Subdivision Motion by Hentges, seconded by Norberg, that the lot subdivision be granted. Roll Call: All Ayes 2. Richard Bebus, 5046 Jackson St. N.E. Request for Special Purpese Fence Motion by Norberg, seconded by Hentges, to table this until the next regular meeting. The reason is that Mr. Bebus was to provide signatures from his neighbors indicating their approval of the fence and he has not done so yet. Roll Call: All Ayes May 14, 1979 Page 4 3. Nick Hadrath, 5056 Jackson St. N.E. Request for Special Purpose Fence Motion by Hentges, seconded by Logacz, to concur with the request based on the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission. Mr. Hadrath provided a statement signed by two neighbors approving the fence. Councilman Norberg stated he thought there should be signatures from the four surrounding neighbors and stated he would vote against the motion. Roll Call: Logacz, Hentges, Nawrocki Norberg - Nay Aye 4. Tonto's Taco Shoppe - 4900 Central Ave. Request for Conditional Use Permit A1 Carlson, City Planner, presented blueprints of the proposed changes to the existing building. Discussion followed on the parking. Mr. Cilley, President of Tonto's, was present and stated that no change will be made in the setback of the building; the existing setback is the same as all other buildings on the block. Councilman Hentges stated he wouldn't vote for this because it did not come to the Traffic Commission for a study on the traffic flow. Discussion continued on what the agreement is between the car wash owners and the Red Barn owners on a joint easement for driveway and parking. Mr. Levine, owner of the land between the Red Barn and the car wash, stated he doesn't want Tonto's using his property and asked for a continuation of the meeting to allow him time to make a presentation of his evidence. Councilman Norberg stated he doesn't feel Mr. Levinels point is pertinent to this particular matter and only the use of the building should be considered. Motion by Logacz, seconded by Norberg, to grant the conditional use permit based on the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission. The Mayor stated he didn't like the idea of another food franchise in Columbia Heights, however, everything they requested is within the ordinance and he doesn't feel the Council has the right to deny the request. Motion by Hentges to table this until the next regular Council meeting. Motion dies for lack of a second. Roll Call on original motion: Logacz, Norberg, Nawrocki - Aye Hentges - Nay Motion by Norberg, seconded by Hentges, to refer the matters of traffic flow and signing to the Traffic Commission for approval. Roll Call: All Ayes May 14, 1979 Page 5 5. Jim Johnson, 4300 Sixth St. Request for Special Purpose Fence Motion by Norberg to deny the request. Motion dies for lack of a second. Motion by Hentges, seconded by Logacz, that the request be granted based upon the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning. Councilman Norberg stated he doesn't understand how the Council can authorize an encroachment on the Cityls easement. He doesn't feel this is fair or consistent with their past denials of similar requests by other residents. The Maker and Seconder of the motion agreed to add: on the condition that at the City's request the property owner will agree to relocate the fence from its present position six feet from the curb off the City property. Roll Call: Logacz, Hentges, Nawrocki - Aye Norberg Nay TRAFFIC COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. 39½ Ave., Cleveland St. to McKinley St. Motion by Logacz, seconded by Norberg, that no parking be designated for the north side of 39½ Ave. between Cleveland and McKinley. Roll Call: All Ayes 2. Robert Worcester 1476 Lincoln Terrace Motion by Norberg, seconded by Logacz, to direct the placement by the Engineering Department of multiple reflectorized posts at 1476 Lincoln Terrace and that the City Manager be directed to draft a policy for the future placement of these posts. Roll Call: All Ayes 3. Parking Regulation 41st Ave., Quincy St. to Central Ave. Discussion was held on why the MTC asked for the no parking signs, whether buses should be allowed on these streets, and how much parking this proposal for no parking signs would leave on the block. While George Brown, City Engineer, was setting up slides of the area, the Council went on with other business. LIBRARY REQUESTS Discussion was held on the cost of the requested copying machine, where the money would come from, and the advantages of this particular machine. May 14, 1979 Page 6 Motion by Norberg, seconded by Logacz, to authorize the purchase of the Savin Model 755, including delivery, installation, service contract, and coin collection mechanism in the amount of $4,235 for the library on the basis of low informal competitive bid arid that the Mayor and City Manager be authorized to enter into contract for same, that the additional $2,235 be authorized from the unallocated revenue sharing fund to pay the cost of this equipment over and above the library's budget. Roll Call: All Ayes Motion by Norberg, seconded by Logacz, to authorize the purchase of one pair of vinyl Panelfold Scale/8 Accoustical partitions for the basement activity room of the library from A. A. Products in an amount of S1,589, said monies to come from the revenue sharing account, and the Mayor and City Manager be authorized to enter into contract for same based on low informal competitive bid. Roll Call: All Ayes PARKING REGULATION (Cont.) Motion by Hentges, seconded by Norberg, to concur with the Traffic Commission recommendation to allow no parking on 41st Ave. from Central to the alley between Quincy St. and Jackson St. Councilman Norberg stated at least this plan is consistent in banning parking on the whole street but he wonders if this allows enough parking for people in the area. Roll Call: Hentges - Aye Logacz, Norberg, Nawrocki - Nay Motion fails. Motion by Nawrocki, seconded by Norberg, that the parking resLriction on the north side of 41st, west of Central, be as follows: that the original designation of no parking between signs in the areas of the 4lst & Jackson intersection be returned, that a similar no parking zone at the intersection of 41st ~ VanBuren be authorized to take care of the bus turning, and that the rest of the north side from Central to the alley between Quincy St. and Jackson St. be signed as no parking during school days. Roll Call: Logacz, Norberg, Nawrocki - Aye Hentges - Nay RECESS at 11:25 p.m. RECONVENE at 11:40 p.m. Motion by Hentges, seconded by Nawrocki, to continue the meeting until the agenda is completed. Roll Call: Hentges, Nawrocki Aye Logacz, Norberg - Nay Motion fails. May 14, 1979 Page 7 Motion by Hentges, seconded by Logacz, to continue the meeting until 12:15 a.m. Roll Call: Logacz, Hentges, Nawrocki - Aye Norberg Nay ORDINANCE 901 ORDINANCE 901 BEING AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 853, CITY CODE OF 1977, REVISING THE NUMBERING SCHE~E OF ORDINANCE NO. 896 The City Council of the City of Columbia Heights does ordain: Section 1: Section 9.403(11) of Ordinance No. 853, City Code of 1977, passed June 21, 1977, shall hereafter be numbered as Section 9.104(h)o Section 2: Section 9.503(4) of Ordinance No. 853, City Code of 1977, passed June 21, 1977, shall hereafter be numbered as Section 9.105(d). Section 3: This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after thirty (30) days after its passage. The second reading, at the May 29 meeting, will constitute a public hearing. TRAFFIC COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS: 4. 41st Ave. and 4th St. Motion by Logacz, seconded by Hentges, to authorize the placement of a stop sign at 41st and 4th St. stopping westbound traffic. Stu Anderson, Police Chief, noted that the matter hasn't had a public hearing and therefore shouldn't be on the agenda. Motion by Norberg, seconded by Logacz, to refer this to the Traffic Commission for a public hearing. Roll Call: All Ayes NEW BRIGHTON RESOLUTION Motion by Hentges, seconded by Norberg, to concur with the New Brighton resolution on the Metropolitan Airports Commission Master Plan of the Anoka County Airport. This plan covers the environmental impact assessment report to be prepared for the Anoka County Airport in Blaine. Roll Call: All Ayes May 14, 1979 Page 8 NE~V BRIGHTONIS INQUIRY REGARDING CABLE TV A letter was received from the City Manager of New Brighton asking if Columbia Heights would be interested in a joint cable TV project. The City Manager responded that at this time the City is not interested as it is in the process of obtaining a cable service territory jointly with Hilltop. Motion by Hentges, seconded by Norberg, that this letter be referred to the Cable TV Advisory Committee for their recommendations. Roll Call: All Ayes OLD BUSINESS: 1. Assessment to Support Tax Increment Financing Motion by Logacz to authorize a payment to the League of Minnesota Cities in an amount not to exceed $877 in order to help defray tax increment lobbying expenses. Motion dies for lack of a second. 2. Metropolitan Land Planning Act Councilman Hentges requested a transfer of money to the HRA to defray costs of the comprehensive land planning preparation they have done. The City Manager reported that the plan is far from being completed. Councilman Hentges will get an itemized bill for what has been done. 3. Property Listing Information Policy Deferred to another meeting. 4. Other Old Business Councilman Hentges asked about the status of the proposed road extension of 45th Ave. and whether repair work would be done on Fillmore between 47th and 49th where the road is sinking. Mitch DeMars, Street Superintendent, stated that this work is the contractor's responsibility and is being taken care of. The platting of the extension of 45th Ave. has been completed. The status of the Cityls request for a semaphore at 5Otb and Central was raised. Mayor Nawrocki recommended the City Manager talk with someone from the State on this to find out where the City stands. Councilman Norberg noted that the stop lights at the crossings at 45th and Central and 53rd and Central are on a ]20 second cycle instead of the 60 second cycle and asked why. Mayor Nawrocki asked for a report from George Brown on this item. May 14, 1979 Page 9 NEW BUSINESS: 1. Bids on Trees for Public Property Motion by Logacz, seconded by Hentges, that the bid for tree plantings on public property be awarded to Natural Green, Inc. based on low competitive bid in the amount of $4,980.00 and the Mayor and City Manager be authorized to enter into contract for same. Roll Call: All Ayes 2. League of Minnesota Cities Conference Registration The City Manager reported that several staff members will be registered and asked if any of the Council wished to attend the annual conference on June 13, 14, and 15. The Mayor and Councilmen Hentges and Logacz asked to be registered. 3. Bids on Auto Body Repair Work Motion by Norberg, seconded by Logacz, to award the bid on auto body repair work on police cars #14, 17, and 18 to Atlas Auto Body, 4511 Central Ave. N.E., in the amount of $544.72, based on low competitive bid, and Mayor and City Manager be authorized to enter into contract for same. Roll Call: All Ayes 4. Insurance Claim Settlements Motion by Hentges, seconded by Norberg, to authorize the City Manager to accept Home Insurance Company's offer of $2,121.OO for water damages to City Hall. Roll Call: All Ayes Motion by Hentges, seconded by Norberg, to authorize the City Manager to accept Western National Insurance Company's offer of $425.06 for damage to a police vehicle. Roll Call: All Ayes 5. Setting Work Session Dates The City Manager asked for some work sessions to discuss personnel matters and the management plans which were submitted to the Council. Thursday, May 17 at 7:30 p.m. and Monday, May 21, at 7:30 p.m. were set for the work sessions. 6. Informal Quotations on Sidewalk Construction at the Field House Discussion followed on the differences between the two bids and whether the specs bid on were the same. May 14, 1979 Page 10 Motion by Hentges, seconded by Norberg, to table this item until the next regular Council meeting. Roll Call: All Ayes 7. Wage Adjustments There were two wage adjustments presented. These will go into effect administratively. 8. Other New Business The City Manager stated he had a request for equipment from Don Jolly, Water Superintendent, and stated that there is only one supplier for the required type of equipment and therefore the City is justified in awarding to the only bidder. Motion by Logacz, seconded by Norberg, that the City Manager be authorized to purchase a dura-seal type RA from Dura Metalic Corporation in the amount of $548 on the basis of this being a propriatory item. Roll Call: All Ayes CITY MANAGERIS REPORT The City Manager reported that the City has received a letter from Earl Gustafson resigning as Public Works Director effective June 4 and as Civil Defense Director effective June 1. A survey has been done of gas stations in town to determine the capacity of their tanks and whether they plan to change their hours. The Council will receive a copy of this. The City Manager received a cease and desist order from the Bureau of Mediation Services. This includes all employees whose employment service exceeds the lesser of 14 hours per week or 35~ of the normal work week and more than 1OO work days per year excluding supervisory and confidential employees and further excluding all employees presently represented by an exclusive representative. The City Manager reported that advertising for the sale of the house on Mill Street next to the parking lot will be done soon. LICENSES Motion by Hentges, seconded by Norberg, to approve licenses as listed upon payment of proper fees. Roll Call: All Ayes May 14, 1979 Page ll PAYMENT OF BILLS Motion by Hentges, seconded by Logacz, that bills as listed be paid out of their proper funds. Roll Call: All Ayes ADJOURNMENT Motion by Hentges, seconded by Logacz, to adjourn at 12:30 a.m. Roll Call: All Ayes Bruce~G. Nawrocki, Mayor Council Secretary